TVSquad

(S05E25) About midway through tonight's show, I was prepared to write about how disappointed I was that only one week out from the conclusion of the Michael Scott Paper Company arc, we were subjected to such a throwaway episode.

Here's what I would have written: "How many times can we see Michael be disappointed that no one wants to join him in his crazy shenanigans? This is a 'go-to' plotline that I wish they would stop going to!" I would have then nodded solemnly at the screen, content that I had proved once again that blogging about TV is the most important job a person can have.

But before I had the chance to craft the rest of that review, something awesome happened. Like most awesome things, it started with two hot girls dancing with each other ...

I'm talking of course about the eight minute dance party that closed out the episode.

See, for the most part, I'm a rotten misanthrope who wouldn't leave the house if it weren't for the fact that the only thing I loathe more than other people is myself. For some reason, however, I completely and utterly love dancing to cheesy music.

Thus, I found the dance party in the hollowed-out remains of the Michael Scott Paper Company to be one of the finest moments in the show's history.

I'm serious, I don't think I stopped smiling throughout the entire third act. All the pieces were in place for me to hate this episode -- a cartoonish Michael Scott, a recycled plotline, a feeling that this was a "filler" episode -- and yet everything came together beautifully.

These are people we have come to know, and an episode like this one is, in a weird kind of way, a reward for those of us who tune in religiously every week. There wasn't any kind of big drama -- no "Casino Night"-type revelations -- tonight was just about characters we love having a good time together.

It was hard not to get wrapped up in it.

Other Stuff:

-- Speaking of that dramatic arc, it feels a little strange to be so close to the end of the season with everybody in a good place emotionally. The law of TV averages usually dictates some manufactured drama before season's end, but The Office has been pretty good at defying our expectations. I have no idea what the writers will do next (and that's a good thing!)

-- We had not one but two people-as-animal jokes this week. Of the two, I thought Phyllis as a horse was funnier. (Though Kevin's "I wanted a cookie" line had me rolling.)

-- If someone said that there were five hours worth of outtakes featuring Andy and Kelly doing their dance-off, how long do you think you would watch? I think I go 2 hours at least.

-- Another tremendous moment: Angela involuntarily moves her feet to the music and then a quick pan to Michael's absolutely glee at this. I'm telling you, this was a great, great episode.

-- Here's an update concerning last week's rant about the casual Friday continuity issues. After my wife read the review, she called me from work and, speaking for many of you, said, "you're an idiot". Ah, the joy of married blogging. Here's hoping she liked this review a little better.

As always, your comments are the otter's oil on my back.